Introducing ‘Miss Saigon’s’ latest Filipino Engineer

Actor Red Concepcion

The list of Filipino performers in “Miss Saigon” just got longer—and, this time, its newly minted cast is paced by theater actor Red Concepcion, who will portray The Engineer in the UK tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s musical extravaganza. It will begin its month-long run on July 3. Singing champ Gerald Santos (as Thuy) is also part of the production’s principal cast.

Last Wednesday, we woke up to the great news of Red’s casting when we saw a flood of congratulatory messages on his FB wall—but, we knew all along that the 32-year-old actor had what it took to get cast in coveted roles with a high degree of difficulty.

Red, who is singer-actor Sam Concepcion’s older brother, is one of Philippine theater’s most versatile performers
—he’s a “triple threat” who is as proficient with English dialogue as he is with Filipino lines.

Heft, power

His singing voice is made more significant by its heft and power. But, as theater aficionados know only too well, Red has another ace up his thespic sleeve—his comedic timing is impeccable, and his sense of humor subtle but spot-on.

Why do we know this?

Because we’ve worked with Red in a couple of productions, both in 2007, and we saw just how versatile he was.

In February that year, we acted with Red in director Jose Estrella’s “Basilia ng Malolos” for Dulaang UP. Then, later in November, we directed him in New Voice Company’s “Into the Woods,” where he made what seemed like
inconsequential lines funny, making even his fellow actors in the musical’s gifted cast snicker in the wings or onstage during performances!

Knowing this, we can imagine his characterization of The Engineer to vastly benefit from his kind of leavening offbeat humor.

Coveted role

What are Red’s thoughts about winning the coveted role? To get his answer, we touched base with the actor to talk about his upcoming “Miss Saigon” adventure.

Our quick chat with Red:

When did you learn about the great news? The auditions took place in March last year. I got the news on Christmas Eve. I was out buying last minute groceries for Noche Buena with my sister when I got a Facebook message from my agent [about it]. I couldn’t jump up and down even if I wanted to because we were in a crowded shopping mall!

Who’s your Kim? And who are the other Pinoys in the cast? Kim will be portrayed by Sooha Kim and, in some performances, Joreen Bautista—
who’s Pinay. There are a few other Filipinos in the cast: Christian Rey Marbella, Kristine Mae Diaz and Winchester Lopez, among them.

You have big shoes to fill. Some of the other actors who played The Engineer included Jonathan Pryce and his Filipino successors, Junix Inocian, Cocoy Laurel, Robert Seña, Leo Valdez and Jon Jon Briones. How do you hope to reimagine the role? Super big shoes, yes! I feel honored to join the exceptional Filipino actors who were or have been cast in the iconic role. As for reimagining it: Although I grew up listening to the songs of “Miss Saigon”—ginasgas ko yata ang cassette tape nu’n—I’ve never actually seen the show. That way, I’ll be able to look at the role with fresh eyes. And I’ll be guided by an amazing creative team. I met them all during the audition process, and they seemed very supportive.

Did you have an inkling about getting cast as The Engineer and not Thuy?
I did—after the first round of auditions, when they told me that they were calling me back for The Engineer. I couldn’t believe it! I think I said “Are you sure?” (Laughs)